Wendy O’Carroll

EiDA16 Shortlisted Nominee

Diversity Champion Award for Charity

After giving birth to her second child Oliver, Wendy quickly realised that accessible information and support was lacking for parents to children with Down Syndrome. Due to this, she founded the charity ‘Ups and Downs Southwest’, to supply information, advice and support to parents, carers, families, friends and professionals throughout the South West region. The charity has grown from its early beginnings from just Wendy with a computer in her bedroom and piles of books under the stairs, to a charity that now employs 8 people, and directly supports over 600 families and 250 schools across 12 counties; with many hundreds more indirectly through Facebook, emails and the internet. Wendy works tirelessly to support other parents, but most of all to encourage and raise positive awareness and understanding of just how vital our children and young people with Down Syndrome are to our lives, and to society. The heart-warming endorsements submitted for Wendy showcases the true impact she had has on many people’s lives.

Return to 2016 Winners